In an audience with members of the NGO “Leaders of Peace”, Pope Francis stressed that the use of force to resolve disputes is a sign of weakness and vulnerability, and that education is the key to building peace .
(Vatican News Network)Pope Francis received the members of Leaders pour la Paix at the Vatican on December 2. Promoted by former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, the group aims to raise public awareness of international crises and promote new initiatives in favor of peace.
In his speech, the Pope thanked the organization for its commitment, in particular for the Itinerant School of Peace event organized at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. Peace, the Pope observed, requires various forms of reconciliation, shared values and “a path of education and formation”. “We understand that the human family, threatened by war, faces a growing danger: the lack of will to build peace”.
Peacebuilding “requires us to be creative and to go beyond the conventions of international relations when necessary”, even refusing the use of force to resolve disputes. The sacrifice of human life, suffering and destruction are not “side effects” of war, but “international crimes”.
The pope reiterated that the use of force to settle disputes is “a sign of weakness and vulnerability.” On the contrary, “it takes courage to negotiate, mediate and initiate reconciliation”, the courage to “be builders of universal fraternity”. Furthermore, it also takes “more courage to join hands to resolve the drama of the weakest”. At stake is “the hope of life, not theoretical peace.”
“Building peace therefore means promoting and supporting development processes to eradicate poverty, fight hunger, guarantee health and assistance, safeguard our common home, promote fundamental rights and overcome discrimination”.
The Pope concluded by asking God to bless the members of the Peace Leaders and to protect their work.
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